PESHAWAR, Jan 31: A science and technology park will be established in Nowshera’s Jalozai area and funds for the project will be sought from the Higher Education Commission.

The decision was taken at a meeting held here on Thursday under caretaker Chief Minister Shmasul Mulk. Mr Mulk directed for acquiring a land of over 100 acres near the site of the University of Engineering and Technology in Jalozai.

He also directed the authorities to start planning another S&T park for Peshawar, said a handout issued here on Thursday.

The chief minister said the science and technology park should be an independent body working closely with the engineering university. He said the authorities should make arrangements for seeking funds for the project from the HEC. He said the provincial government would support the project with all means. He directed the authorities to form a council and an executive council which should look after issues involving the project. The council will be headed by the chief minister himself and the executive council’s in-charge will be vice-chancellor of the University of Engineering and Technology.

Caretaker information minister and UET vice-chancellor Imtiaz Hussain Gillani said the S&T park would collaborate with the UET, HEC and foreign organisations in a series of projects.

Another handout issued here on Thursday said a meeting held under NWFP Minister for Environment Ejaz Ali Durrani had decided to establish a campus of the Hazara University, a postgraduate girls college and a vocational training institute in Haripur.

The case for acquisition of land for the university campus would be sent to the authorities for approval and a meeting in this regard would be convened under the chief minister soon, the handout said.